Apparatus, systems and methods for content availability notification

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are operable to notify a user of content availability. An exemplary embodiment receives a content availability notification request that specifies at least one content of interest, searches current electronic program guide (EPG) information to identify the content of interest, determines that the information identifying the specified content of interest is unavailable based upon the search of the current EPG information, generates a content availability reminder that is associated with the specified content of interest, monitors a content database to determine an availability of the specified content of interest identified in the content availability reminder, determines that the specified content of interest is available when the monitored content database indicates availability of the specified content of interest, and generates a content availability reminder notification that indicates at least a title of the specified content of interest.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/841,356, filed Aug. 31, 2015, granted as U.S. Pat. No. 9,510,053 onNov. 29, 2016, and entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTENTAVAILABILITY NOTIFICATION,” which is a Continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/790,686, filed May 28, 2010, granted as U.S. Pat. No.9,128,938 on Sep. 8, 2015, and entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODSFOR CONTENT AVAILABILITY NOTIFICATION,” the contents of which are bothincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Media devices, such as a set top box, stereo, television, computersystem, game system, or the like, are often configured to receivecontent from a content provider. The content provider typically providesthe user an electronic program guide (EPG) that contains contentschedule information for a future predefined time, such as severalweeks. The EPG may be a type of a user interface that presents a menu,or a series of menus, on a display using a combination of text andsymbols to indicate content viewing choices that may be selected by theuser. The available content information may include the title ofavailable content, along with the scheduled time and date of the contentpresentation, and a brief description of the content. The EPG typicallyindicates the “channel” of the available content that identifies theoriginating source of the content, such as a television studio, apremium movie provider, a national program provider, etc.

The user may select content for current viewing, further viewing, and/orrecording. However, particular content of interest may not be availablefor current presentation or future presentation during the periodavailable of the EPG. For example, the user may have missed a priorpresentation of the favorite serial program, and the EPG does notindicate that the serial program will be re-presented in the nearfuture. As another example, the user may be interested in viewing a newrelease movie that is not yet available from the content provider. Asyet another example, the user may wish to view an old classic movie thatis not scheduled for presentation by the content provider.

Accordingly, there is a need in the arts to assist a user to accesscontent of interest that cannot be selected for presentation via theirEPG.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of notifying a user of content availability aredisclosed. An exemplary embodiment receives a content availabilitynotification request that specifies at least one content of interest,searches current electronic program guide (EPG) information to identifythe content of interest, determines that the information identifying thespecified content of interest is unavailable based upon the search ofthe current EPG information, generates a content availability reminderthat is associated with the specified content of interest, monitors acontent database to determine an availability of the specified contentof interest identified in the content availability reminder, determinesthat the specified content of interest is available when the monitoredcontent database indicates availability of the specified content ofinterest, and generates a content availability reminder notificationthat indicates at least a title of the specified content of interest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a content availabilitynotification system implemented in a media device;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a contentavailability notification system implemented in the media device; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a contentavailability notification system configured to receive contentavailability notification requests from remote devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a content availabilitynotification system 100 implemented in a media device 102, such as, butnot limited to, a set top box (STB). Embodiments of the contentavailability notification system 100 may be implemented in other mediadevices, such as, but not limited to, stereos, radios, televisions(TVs), digital video disc (DVD) players, digital video recorders (DVRs),game playing devices, personal computers (PCs), cellular phone devices,laptop computers, or computer work stations.

Embodiments of the content availability notification system 100 enable auser (not shown) to make a content availability notification request forparticular content of interest that is not currently available, or isnot available in the near future, from their content service provider.In an exemplary embodiment, the user operates a remote control 104 tospecify the particular content of interest to the content availabilitynotification system 100. If the specified content of interest is notcurrently scheduled for presentation, a content availability reminder isgenerated that identifies the specified content of interest. Theavailability of the specified content of interest identified in thecontent availability reminder is monitored.

When the specified content of interest is scheduled for presentation, acontent availability reminder notification is provided to the user toadvise the user of the availability of the specified content ofinterest. The content availability reminder notification may indicatewhen the specified content of interest will become available.

In some embodiments, the content availability notification system 100may assist the user in identifying and selecting the particular contentof interest in situations where the user is not able to accuratelyspecify the content of interest, such as when a search of an electronicprogram guide does not locate the program of interest. Embodimentsaccess another database that is more likely to provide informationpertaining to the content of interest. Thus, the user is able to searchfor and specifically specified content of interest with the aid of thecontent availability notification system 100.

When the specified content of interest is scheduled for presentation,the user is provided at least one content availability remindernotification indicating the scheduled presentation time and the sourceof the specified content of interest. Accordingly, the user understandsthat the specified content of interest will be available forpresentation. Alternatively, or additionally, when the particularspecified content of interest is finally presented at some future time,the user may be provided at least one real-time content availabilityreminder notification. In some embodiments, the user's media device 102may automatically access and/or record the specified content ofinterest.

Some embodiments enable the content service provider to track individualrequests for specified content of interest from the user and its othercustomers. When the number of requests for a particular specifiedcontent of interest exceeds a threshold, the content service providermay elect to schedule that particular specified content of interest forpresentation. The content service provider may then notify the user andits other interested customers of the scheduled presentation of thespecified content of interest.

The non-limiting exemplary media device 102 comprises a program contentstream interface 106, a processor system 108, a memory 110, a programbuffer 112, an optional digital video recorder (DVR) 114, a presentationdevice interface 116, and a remote interface 118. The memory 110comprises portions for storing content availability reminder logic 120,current electronic program guide (EPG) information 122, an optionalcontent database 124, and one or more content availability reminders126. Other media devices may include some, or may omit some, of theabove-described media processing components. Further, additionalcomponents not described herein may be included in alternativeembodiments.

The functionality of the media device 102, here a set top box, is nowbroadly described. The user operates their remote control 104 togenerate and transmit user commands via a wireless signal 128 that isreceived by the remote interface 118. Accordingly, the media device 102can then control itself and/or the various media devices that it iscommunicatively coupled to, such as the exemplary television (TV) 130,in accordance with the generated user commands.

A content service provider provides program content that is received inone or more program content streams 132. A program content stream 132typically comprises a plurality of programs multiplexed together. Theone or more program content streams 132 are communicated to the mediadevice 102 from a remote head end facility (not shown) operated by thecontent service provider. Non-limiting examples of such media systemsinclude satellite systems, cable system, and the Internet. For example,if the content service provider provides programming via asatellite-based communication system, the media device 102 is configuredto receive one or more broadcasted satellite signals detected by anantenna (not shown). Alternatively, or additionally, the program contentstream 132 can be received from one or more different sources, such as,but not limited to, a cable system, a radio frequency (RF) communicationsystem, or the Internet.

The one or more program content streams 132 are received by the programcontent stream interface 106. One or more tuners 106 a in the programcontent stream interface 106 selectively tune to one of the programcontent streams 132 in accordance with instructions received from theprocessor system 108. The processor system 108, based upon a request fora program of interest specified by the user, parses out program contentassociated with the content of interest. The content of interest is thenassembled into a stream of video and/or audio information which may bestored by the program buffer 112 such that the content of interest canbe streamed out to the media presentation device, such as the exemplarytelevision 130, via a signal 134 output from the presentation deviceinterface 116. The content may then be presented on a display 136 of theexemplary television 130, for example. Alternatively, or additionally,the content of interest may be saved into the DVR 114 for laterpresentation. In alternative embodiments, the program content streams132 may stored for later decompression, processing and/or decryption.

From time to time, information populating the current EPG information120 portion of the memory 110 is communicated to the media device 102,via the program content stream 132 or via another suitable media. Thecurrent EPG information 122 stores the information pertaining tocurrently scheduled content over some predefined period, such as thenext nine days. The content schedule information may include, but is notlimited to, a scheduled presentation start and/or an end time, a programsource (e.g., a channel, video on demand, pay-per-view, premium channel,etc.), and/or other descriptive information of interest. The content'sdescriptive information may include the title of the content, names ofperformers or actors, date of creation, and a summary describing thenature of the content. Any suitable information may be included in thecontent's supplemental information. Upon receipt of a command from theuser requesting presentation of an EPG display, the information in thecurrent EPG information 120 is retrieved, formatted, and then presentedon the display 136 as an EPG.

As noted above, the user may be interested in particular content that isnot scheduled for presentation. For example, absence of the content ofinterest from the EPG may indicate to the user that the particularcontent of interest is not available for presentation. That is, afterperforming a futile search through the EPG, the user would thenunderstand that their particular content of interest is unavailable. Asanother example, the user may appreciate that they missed thepresentation of the content of interest, such as when they return homeafter the scheduled presentation time of their favorite weekly serialprogram.

The user, via their remote control 104, then initiates the contentavailability notification system 100. In response to the user command,the processor system 108 retrieves and executes the content availabilityreminder logic 120. In the various embodiments, the user specifies theparticular content of interest that is not currently available from thecontent service provider. Then, the content availability notificationsystem 100 monitors one or more information sources to determine theavailability of the specified content of interest. When the contentavailability notification system 100 determines availability of thespecified content of interest, the content availability notificationsystem 100 provides one or more content availability remindernotifications indicating the availability of the specified content ofinterest. Availability of the specified content of interest isdetermined when the monitored information source(s) indicates that thespecified content of interest will be available. For example, theinformation source may contain content presentation schedules. If acontent presentation schedule exists, then embodiments determine thatthe specified content of interest is available. When the informationsource is updated or the like to indicate that the specified content ofinterest will be available, embodiments may then determine that thespecified content of interest is available.

Some embodiments include an optional content database 124 that locallyresides on the memory 110 of the media device 102. The local contentdatabase 124 is a source of information used by the content availabilitynotification system 100 to determine availability of the specifiedcontent of interest. In an exemplary embodiment, the content database124 is provided by the content service provider. Alternatively, oradditionally, the content database 124 may be built over time based onthe content presentation history on the media device 102.

The content database 124 is a repository of identifiers for selectedcontent. The content database 124 may be conceptually viewed as an indexof the identifiers for a very large number of different content. Theidentifiers may be a title of the content. Alternatively, oradditionally, a program identifier, a catalogue number, and/or anotherreference may be used to identify a particular program. Thus, thecontent database 124 has one or more identifiers for many movies,television programs, special events, and other media.

Additionally, if available, the content database 124 may include thefuture scheduled presentation date and time, and optionally the source,of selected content. For example, even if the presentation schedule forthe specified content of interest is beyond the period of the EPG, thatpresentation schedule may be included in the content database 124.Accordingly, the content availability notification system 100 canmonitor the presentation schedule and determine when additionalinformation is available in the EPG, for example, and then generate atleast one content availability reminder notification for the specifiedcontent of interest.

In the various embodiments, the user specifies the particular content ofinterest. However, it may be difficult for the user to specify aparticular content of interest with sufficient accuracy and/orgranularity so that the content availability notification system 100appreciates the user's intent. For example, the user may not correctlyand/or precisely spell the title of the content of interest. Possiblythe user has left off part of the title, such as the word “the” or thelike. Or, there may be multiple content having the same title, such asan old movie and a recent re-make of the movie. Serial programs may havethe same title, yet have many different available episodes. Thus, theuser may require assistance from the content availability notificationsystem 100 from time to time to accurately specify the content ofinterest. In some situations, the user may wish to identify content ofinterest based on another criteria, such as by actor, location, contenttheme, or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, the user may perform an alpha search bytitle for the content of interest. In such embodiments, the user mayenter part of, or all of, the name and/or other information pertainingto the particular content of interest using an emulated keyboard orother alpha-numeric input graphical user interface (GUI). Alternatively,or additionally, the user may specify the particular content of interestvia keyed entries using the buttons and/or controllers on their remotecontrol 104.

In embodiments with the optional content database 124, a searchablecontent guide 138 may be presented in a GUI format on the display 136 ofthe TV 130. The content guide 138 may resemble an EPG, although anysuitable presentation format may be used. Thus, the GUI presenting theinformation in the content database 124 interactively assists the userin identifying particular content of interest.

Other information of interest may be optionally included in the contentdatabase 124. For example, a name of a performer or actor, date ofcreation, and a summary describing the nature of the content may beincluded. Thus, if the user performs a search based on the otherinformation, the content availability notification system 100 may assistthe user in correctly identifying and specifying the content ofinterest.

When the particular content of interest is identified on the contentguide 138, the content of interest may be specified by the user. Forexample, one of the buttons or controllers on the remote control 104 maybe used to specify the identified content of interest. User convenienceis facilitated when the content guide 138 is provided in a GUI interfaceformat.

In response to the specification of the particular content of interest,the content availability notification system 100 determines availabilityof the specified content of interest. Availability of the specifiedcontent of interest is determined when the scheduled presentation timeand source of the specified content of interest is determinable from thesources of information accessed by the content availability notificationsystem 100.

When the availability of the specified content of interest isdetermined, a content availability reminder is generated and stored inthe content availability reminders 126 portion of the memory 110. Thecontent availability reminder is associated with the specified contentof interest. In an exemplary embodiment, the content availabilityreminder is associated with, and may include, the title or otheridentifier of the particular specified content of interest. Further, thecontent availability reminder may be associated with, and may include,the presentation schedule of the particular content of interest, thechannel or other source of the particular specified content of interest,and/or other information of interest.

On the other hand, the content availability notification system 100 maynot be able to determine the availability of the specified content ofinterest. Accordingly, the title or other identifier of that particularcontent of interest is stored in the content availability reminders 126portion of the memory 110 (or in another suitable portion of the memory110). The content availability notification system 100 continues tomonitor its sources of information for the availability of the specifiedcontent of interest. When the content availability notification system100 determines availability of the specified content of interest, thecontent availability reminder is generated and stored in the contentavailability reminders 126 portion of the memory 110.

The current EPG 122 is a source of information that embodiments of thecontent availability notification system 100 may use to determineavailability of the specified content of interest. As noted above, thecurrent EPG information 122 is periodically updated with informationpertaining to upcoming scheduled content. Accordingly, the contentavailability notification system 100 may periodically monitor EPG updateinformation, monitor the EPG updates as they are received, and/or themonitor the current EPG information 122 for the availability of thespecified content of interest. When the content availabilitynotification system 100 determines availability of the specified contentof interest from the EPG update information and/or the current EPGinformation 122, the content availability reminder is generated asstored in the content availability reminders 126 portion of the memory110.

In embodiments with the content database 124, the content serviceprovider may provide periodic updates to the content database 124. Forexample, all of, or a portion of, an internet movie database (IMDB) maybe downloaded into the content database 124. The update information mayinclude available presentation schedules for some of the contentidentified in the content database 124. When the content database 124 isupdated with schedule information for the specified content of interest,the content availability notification system 100 may then determineavailability of the specified content of interest and generate acorresponding content availability reminder.

The generated content availability reminder is used to notify the userof availability of the specified content of interest. In an exemplaryembodiment, the content availability notification system 100 notifiesthe user of the availability of the specified content of interest bygenerating and by presenting a content availability remindernotification 140. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, thecontent availability notification system 100 generates a graphicalcontent availability reminder notification that is communicated to theTV 130 and that displayed on its display 136. Some media devices 102 mayinclude the display 136 as a component.

The content reminder notification 140 may be generated and/or presentedto the user at various times. In an exemplary embodiment, the contentreminder notification 140 is generated and/or presented to the user whenthe specified content of interest is available for presentation on themedia device 102. Alternatively, or additionally, the content remindernotification 140 may be generated and/or presented to the user whenavailability of the specified content of interest is determined.Alternatively, or additionally, the content reminder notification 140may be generated and/or presented to the user at a predetermined timeprior to the scheduled availability of the specified content ofinterest. For example, the content reminder notification 140 isgenerated and/or presented one hour prior to the scheduled presentationof the specified content of interest.

In some embodiments, presentation of the specified content of interestmay already be underway. For example, presentation may already beunderway when the user first activates the media device 102 and/or theTV 130. Here, communicating the content reminder notification 140 to theTV 136 would not result in notification to the user. In this simplifiedexample, the content reminder notification 140 is presented in responseto the activation of the media device 102 and/or the TV 130.

The content reminder notification 140 may be presented to the user in avariety of different manners. In an exemplary embodiment, the contentavailability reminder notification 140 may be presented as a pop-upwindow or the like. The title, the scheduled start and end times and/orduration, a graphical icon or the like, and/or other information ofinterest pertaining to the particular specified content of interest maybe included in the content availability reminder notification 140. Thecontent availability reminder notification 140 may be presented for apredetermined time and then removed. Alternatively, the contentavailability reminder notification 140 may be presented until somerequired user action occurs. For example, the user may be required tospecifically disregard the content availability reminder notification140, may be required to tune to the source where the specified contentof interest is being presented, and/or may be required to initiate arecording into the DVR.

In some embodiments, the content availability reminder notification 140may be incorporated into a presented EPG to indicate availability of thespecified content of interest. For example, a graphical icon and/oralpha-numeric message may be added into the portion of the presented EPGthat provides information pertaining to the specified content ofinterest. Alternatively, or additionally, the content availabilityreminder notification 140 may change the background color of thatportion of the EPG pertaining to the specified content of interest. In anon-limiting exemplary embodiment, blue backgrounds are normally used onthe presented EPG. However, the background region for the specifiedcontent of interest may be changed to a bright noticeable color, such asyellow or the like, to indicate that the specified content of interestis scheduled for presentation.

Some embodiments may alternatively, or additionally, issue an audioadvisory or the like to indicate that the specified content of interestis available. For example, a unique tone may be generated. Or, asimulated voice message may be generated specifying the title, theschedule and/or the source for the specified content of interest.

Some embodiments may alternatively, or additionally, automatically causethe media device 102 to tune to the particular program content stream132 having the specified content of interest when the specified contentof interest is available for presentation on the media device 102. Thus,the currently presented content is interrupted and is replaced by thespecified content of interest. Alternatively, the specified content ofinterest may be presented in a picture-in-picture (PIP) or other dualimage format.

Some embodiments may alternatively, or additionally, automaticallyrecord the specified content of interest into the DVR 114. For example,if the user is not using the media device 102 at the time of thepresentation of the specified content of interest, the saved content ofinterest will be available for later presentation to the user at theirconvenience. Or, if the user is using the media device 102 forpresentation of other content, then the specified content of interestmay be saved without interruption of the other presented content.

Some service providers provide selected content on a for-pay basis. Forexample, content may be available on a pay-for view type basis, may beavailable for a specified duration, and/or may be available on a premiumservice channel. Non-limiting examples for-pay services include video ondemand (VOD) and premium movie channels. Some embodiments of the contentavailability notification system 100 may be configured to automaticallyaccess the specified for-pay content when it becomes available such thatthe appropriate fee is charged to the user's account.

In other embodiments, pre-authorization from the user (prior to accessto the specified pay-per-view content of interest) is required. Forexample, a special GUI content availability reminder notification 140may be presented to the user that requires pre-authorization from theuser to access particular for-pay content of interest. In response topresentation of the special content availability reminder notification140, the user may then authorize or decline access to the specifiedfor-pay content of interest.

An unforeseen and unexpected advantage of the various embodiments thatare configured to access particular for-pay content is that the userautomatically receives, or is directed to the availability of, thefor-pay content. For example, new movies are initially released attheatres. After the run of the new movie at the theaters has beencompleted, the new movie is then released on other media, such as onrental DVDs and VOD. It is appreciated that the content service provideris competing with DVD rentals by providing the new movie on their VODsystem. Embodiments of the content availability notification system 100enable to the user to predefine a listing of the new movies and/or otherfor-pay programming of interest, referred to as a “VOD Wish List” or thelike. Accordingly, the user does not need to obtain a rental DVD of thenew movie and/or other for-pay programming. Such embodiments providemore convenient access to these new movies and/or other for-payprogramming, and thus provide a competitive advantage to the contentservice provider over DVD rental companies.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a contentavailability notification system 200 implemented in the media device102. This exemplary embodiment provides a backchannel communication path202 between the media device 102 and a remote site, such as theexemplary content provider system 204. The backchannel communicationpath 202 is a communication path between then media device 102 and theremote site that permits communication from the media device 102 to theremote site. In some embodiments, the backchannel communication path 202provides two-way communication between the media device 102 and theremote site.

In this exemplary embodiment, the content provider system includessystems and components (not shown) that provide the program contentstream 132 that is received by the media device 102. Additionally, thecontent provider system 204 comprises a remote content database 206, aremote content availability request database 208, an optional userdatabase 210, and a remote content availability reminder logic 212. Themedia device 102 comprises a network interface 214 that providesconnectivity to the content provider system 204 via a suitablecommunication network 216.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the user specifies particular contentof interest that is not currently available or scheduled for futurepresentation, the executing content availability reminder logic 120generates a content availability notification request that iscommunicated from the media device 102 to the content provider system204 via the backchannel 202. The executing remote content availabilityreminder logic 212 at the content provider system 204 receives thecontent availability notification request to determine the availabilityof the specified content of interest. Availability of the specifiedcontent of interest is determined based upon information in the remotecontent database 206.

When the content provider system 204 determines availability of thespecified content of interest, the content provider system 204 providesschedule and content source information back to the media device 102 inan exemplary embodiment. The executing content availability reminderlogic 120, based on the received information, then generates and storesa corresponding content availability reminder indicating theavailability of the specified content of interest in the contentavailability reminders 126 portion of the memory 110. In an alternativeembodiment, the content availability reminder is generated at thecontent provider system 204 by the executing remote content availabilityreminder logic 212. The remotely generated content availability reminderis then communicated back to the media device 102. The remotelygenerated content availability reminder may be sent to the media deviceat any suitable time.

The schedule and content source information that is communicated back tothe media device 102, or alternatively the content availability reminderthat is generated at the content provider system 204, may becommunicated over the backchannel 202. Alternatively, or additionally,depending upon characteristics of the media device 102, the informationthat is communicated back to the media device 102 may be communicated inthe program content stream 132 if the identifier of the media device 102is associated with the communication.

In some instances, the specified content of interest is not scheduledfor future presentation. Accordingly, the content availabilitynotification request is stored in the user database 210. The userdatabase 210 identifies the specified content of interest and theparticular user making the content availability notification request.When a schedule for the particular specified content of interest becomesavailable, the schedule and content source, or alternatively the contentavailability reminder generated at the content provider system 204, maybe communicated back to the media device 102.

Since the remote content database 206 may reside on a very large andcomplex memory media, a relatively large amount of possible availableprogram content can be quickly and efficiently analyzed to determine ifand/or when the specified content of interest will be available forpresentation at the media device 102. Accordingly, memory capacity ofthe memory 110 in the media device 102 may be relatively less in thisembodiment of the content availability notification system 200.Additionally, communication bandwidth requirements of the system may berelatively reduced as updates to the content database 126 used in thecontent availability notification system 100 embodiment may beeliminated.

The communication network 216 is illustrated as a generic communicationsystem. In one embodiment, the communication network 216 comprises theInternet. Accordingly, the network interface 214 is a suitable modem.Alternatively, the communication network 216 may be a telephony system,a radio frequency (RF) wireless system, a microwave communicationsystem, a fiber optics system, an intranet system, a local accessnetwork (LAN) system, an Ethernet system, a cable system, a radiofrequency system, a cellular system, or a hybrid system comprised ofmultiple types of communication media.

In an alternative embodiment, the above-described content availabilitynotification system 100 (FIG. 1) and the content availabilitynotification system 200 (FIG. 2) cooperatively act to process a receiveduser request for the content availability reminder notification and todetermine the availability of the specified content of interest. Forexample, the executing content availability reminder logic 120 mayassist the user in identifying the content of interest with specificity,and/or may initially query the current EPG information to determine theavailability of the specified content of interest. If availability ofthe specified content of interest cannot be locally determined, then thecontent availability notification request can be forwarded to thecontent provider system 204 for further assessment.

In some embodiments, the content service provider keeps track of thenumber of individual requests for the specified content of interest fromthe user and its other customers. The number of requests for theparticular specified content of interest, and an identifier of therequestors, may be stored in the remote content availability requestdatabase 208 or in another suitable data repository. In exemplaryembodiments, the identifier of the requestor may be the requestor'sname, the requestor's account number, an identifier of the requestor'smedia device, or the like.

The number of requests is updated each time a new content availabilitynotification is received. When the number of requests reaches athreshold, the specified content of interest is scheduled forpresentation. Then, the content availability reminder for the specifiedcontent of interest is generated and communicated to the media devices102 associated with the requestors.

For example, a particular classic movie may be requested by the aplurality of customers of the content service provider. When the totalnumber of requests for a particular classic movie exceeds a threshold,the content service provider may elect to schedule that the classicmovie for presentation. The content service provider may then notify theuser and its other interested customers of the scheduled presentation ofthe classic movie.

In alternative embodiments, any suitable remote site may be configuredto receive content availability notification requests from the mediadevice 102. For example, a dedicated portion of the content serviceprovider's web site may be used to receive content availabilitynotification requests, provide schedule and content source informationback to the media device 102, and/or generate and communicate contentavailability reminders to the media device 102. As another example, aspecial purpose site may be configured to process content availabilitynotification requests from customers of multiple content serviceproviders.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a contentavailability notification system 300 configured to receive contentavailability notification requests from one or more remote devices 302.The remote devices 302 may be operated by the user to generate one ormore content availability notification requests. This exemplaryembodiment enables communication between the media device 102, theplurality of remote devices 302, and/or the remote site, such as theexemplary content provider system 204.

Examples of the remote device 300 include a cellular phone device 302 a,a laptop computer 302 b, and a computer work station 302 c. The remotedevices 300 may be communicatively coupled to one or more remote sites,such as the exemplary content provider system 204 via the communicationnetwork 216. Alternatively, or additionally, the remote devices 302 maybe communicatively coupled to one or more media devices 102 via thecommunication network 216.

The user, operating one of the remote devices 302, generates a contentavailability notification request which is then communicated out to theremote site and/or the media device 102. Content availability remindersmay then be generated as described herein.

In some embodiments, the content availability reminder may be returnedto the user's remote device 302. Accordingly, a suitable contentavailability reminder notification can be generated and presented to onthe user's remote device 302.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thecontent availability notification system 100 are merely possibleexamples of implementations of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of notifying a user of contentavailability, the method comprising: receiving, at a media device, acontent availability notification request from a remote device that iscommunicatively coupled to the media device of the user, wherein thecontent availability notification request specifies content that is ofinterest to the user on a restricted basis and a pre-authorization fromthe user for the specified content, wherein the specified content ofinterest is a current theatrical release that is listed in a contentdatabase stored at the media device, wherein the specified content ofinterest is not available to a distributer until a run of the currenttheatrical release has expired, and wherein the specified content ofinterest is identified in the content availability notification requestby a title of the specified content of interest; determining, by themedia device and based on the title of the specified content ofinterest, that the specified content of interest is not available orscheduled for presentation based upon a search of current electronicprogram guide (EPG) information that is stored at the media device,wherein the EPG information stores at least presentation scheduleinformation pertaining to a plurality of scheduled programs over apredefined duration; receiving, at the media device, EPG informationupdates, wherein the EPG information updates are periodically receivedafter the content availability notification request is received, andwherein the EPG information updates are used to update the EPGinformation stored at the media device; periodically monitoring, at themedia device, the updated EPG information to determine availability ofthe specified content of interest based on the title of the specifiedcontent of interest; and generating, at the media device, a contentavailability reminder notification in response to determining duringperiodic monitoring that the specified content of interest is availableor is scheduled for future presentation on the restricted basis, whereinthe restricted basis comprises the pre-authorization from the user;presenting the content availability reminder notification on a displaythat is communicatively coupled to the media device to the user when theuser is operating the media device, wherein the availability remindernotification indicates at least a title of the specified content ofinterest, and wherein a presence of a notification icon on the displayindicates the specific content of interest is scheduled for presentationon the restricted basis and the pre-authorization from the user; andcommunicating the content availability reminder notification from themedia device to the remote device, wherein the content availabilityreminder notification is presented to the user on a display of theremote device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein after the specifiedcontent of interest is identified in the updated EPG information, themethod further comprising: scheduling an event for recording, at themedia device, the specified content of interest when the specifiedcontent of interest is received in a program content stream at the mediadevice.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the content availabilitynotification request identifies the specified content of interest usingan identifier, and wherein periodically monitoring the updated EPGinformation to determine availability of the specified content ofinterest comprises: monitoring, at the media device, the received EPGinformation updates to determine if the specified content of interest isbeing scheduled for presentation based on the identifiers of programsreceived in the EPG information updates.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: communicating the content availability remindernotification to the display that is communicatively coupled to the mediadevice, wherein the content availability reminder notification ispresented on the display.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:presenting the EPG that identifies the plurality of scheduled programsto the user of the media device, wherein information identifying theplurality of programs is based on the current EPG information stored atthe media device, wherein the content availability reminder notificationis presented with the EPG when the availability of the specified contentof interest has been determined.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thecontent availability reminder notification is presented on the displaythat is communicatively coupled to the media device when the user isusing the media device for presentation of content on the display.
 7. Amethod of notifying a user of content availability, the methodcomprising: receiving, at a media device, a content availabilitynotification request from a remote device that is communicativelycoupled to the media device of the user, wherein the contentavailability notification request specifies content that is of interestto the user on a restricted basis and a pre-authorization from the userfor the specified content, wherein the specified content of interest isa current theatrical release that is listed in a content database storedat the media device, wherein the specified content of interest is notavailable to a distributer until a run of the current theatrical releasehas expired, and wherein the specified content of interest is identifiedin the content availability notification request by a title of thespecified content of interest; determining, by the media device andbased on the title of the specified content of interest, that thespecified content of interest is not available or scheduled forpresentation based upon a search of current electronic program guide(EPG) information that is stored at the media device, wherein the EPGinformation stores at least presentation schedule information pertainingto a plurality of scheduled programs over a predefined duration;receiving, at the media device, EPG information updates, wherein the EPGinformation updates are periodically received after the contentavailability notification request is received, and wherein the EPGinformation updates are used to update the EPG information stored at themedia device; periodically monitoring, at the media device, the updatedEPG information to determine availability of the specified content ofinterest based on the title of the specified content of interest; andgenerating, at the media device, a content availability remindernotification in response to determining during periodic monitoring thatthe specified content of interest is available or is scheduled forfuture presentation on the restricted basis, wherein the restrictedbasis comprises the pre-authorization from the user, wherein the contentavailability reminder notification is presented to the user andindicates at least a title of the specified content of interest, andwherein a presence of a notification icon on a display indicates thespecific content of interest is scheduled for presentation on therestricted basis and the pre-authorization from the user; receiving, atthe media device, the specified content of interest identified in thecontent availability notification request when the media device ispresenting other content to the user; and replacing presentation of theother content with presentation of the specified content of interestwhen the specified content of interest is received in a program contentstream received at the media device, wherein the other content is nolonger presented, and wherein the specified content of interestidentified by the availability reminder notification is presented to theuser.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the content availabilityreminder notification is an audio content availability remindernotification that is presented to the user, wherein the audio contentavailability reminder notification is a simulated voice message thatspecifies at least a title of the specified content of interest.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the specified content of interest is a newmovie that is being released at a plurality of theatres and is not yetavailable at the media device, and wherein generating the contentavailability reminder notification at the media device comprises:generating, at the media device, the content availability remindernotification in response to the specified content of interest becomingavailable on a Video on Demand (VOD) system; presenting the contentavailability reminder notification that indicates that the specifiedcontent of interest is available on the VOD system; accessing, at themedia device, the specified content of interest from the VOD system; andpresenting the accessed specified content of interest to the user.
 10. Amedia device, comprising: a memory configured to store electronicprogram guide (EPG) information, wherein the EPG information includes aschedule that identifies a plurality of programs that are available orare scheduled for future presentation over a predefined duration, andwherein each of the plurality of programs are identified in the EPGinformation using at least one identifier; a program content streaminterface configured to receive at least one program content stream froma content service provider, wherein the plurality of programs arereceived in the at least one program content stream in accordance withthe schedule defined in the EPG information; a network interface that isconfigured to communicatively couple the media device to a remote devicevia a communication network; and a processor system communicativelycoupled to the memory and the program content stream interface, whereinthe processor system is configured to: process a content availabilitynotification request that is generated by the remote device in responseto a request by a user who is using the remote device, wherein thecontent availability notification request specifies content that is ofinterest to the user on a restricted basis and a pre-authorization fromthe user for the specified content, wherein the specified content ofinterest is a current theatrical release that is listed in a contentdatabased stored at the media device, wherein the specified content ofinterest is not available to a distributer until a run of the currenttheatrical release has expired, and wherein the content availabilitynotification request includes an identifier that identifies thespecified content of interest by a title of the specified content ofinterest; determine that the specified content of interest is notavailable or scheduled for presentation based upon a search of currentEPG information that is stored in the memory; process received EPGinformation updates, wherein the EPG information updates areperiodically received after the content availability notificationrequest is received, and wherein the EPG information updates are used toupdate the EPG information stored at the media device; periodicallymonitor the updated EPG information to determine availability of thespecified content of interest based on the title of the specifiedcontent of interest; generate a content availability remindernotification in response to determining during the periodic monitoringthat the specified content of interest is available or is scheduled forfuture presentation on the restricted basis, wherein the restrictedbasis comprises the pre-authorization from the user, wherein the contentavailability reminder notification is presented to the user on a firstdisplay that is communicatively coupled to the media device when theuser is viewing another media content event on the display that iscommunicatively coupled to the media device, wherein a presence of anotification icon on the first display indicates the specific content ofinterest is scheduled for presentation on the restricted basis and thepre-authorization from the user, and wherein the availability remindernotification indicates at least a title of the specified content ofinterest is available on a Video on Demand (VOD) system; generate thecontent availability reminder notification in response to the specifiedcontent of interest is available on the VOD system; and communicate thecontent availability reminder notification to the remote device, whereinthe content availability reminder notification is presented on a seconddisplay of the remote device, and wherein the content availabilityreminder notification indicates that the specified content of interestis available on the VOD system.
 11. The media device of claim 10,further comprising a digital video recorder configured to record thespecified content of interest identified in the content availabilitynotification request when the specified content of interest is beingreceived in the at least one program content stream.
 12. The mediadevice of claim 10, wherein the processor system is further configuredto: generate an EPG that identifies the plurality of programs; andcommunicate the EPG to the remote device, wherein the generated EPG ispresented on the second display to the user of the remote device,wherein the EPG identifying the plurality of programs is based on thecurrent EPG information stored at the media device.
 13. The media deviceof claim 10, wherein the processor system is further configured to:receive a request from the remote device to access the specified contentof interest; access the specified content of interest from the VODsystem in response to a user request for the specified content ofinterest when the user is using the media device; and communicate theaccessed specified content of interest to the first display that iscommunicatively coupled to the media device, wherein the specifiedcontent of interest is presented to the user.
 14. The media device ofclaim 10, wherein the processor system is further configured to: processthe specified content of interest identified in the content availabilitynotification request when the specified content of interest is receivedin the program content stream and when the media device is presentingother content to the user; and replace presentation of the other contentwith the specified content of interest.
 15. The media device of claim10, wherein the processor system is further configured to: monitor thereceived EPG information updates received at the media device todetermine if the specified content of interest is being scheduled forpresentation based on identifiers of programs received in the EPGinformation updates.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprisinggenerating at the media device a searchable content guide based on thecontent database.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprisingpresenting the searchable content guide in a graphical user interfaceformat on a display, wherein the searchable content guide is configuredto receive at least one search command to interactively assist the userin identifying the specified content of interest.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the remote device is selected from a group consistingof a cellular phone device, a laptop computer, and a computer workstation.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the restricted basiscomprises a for-pay basis or an authorized basis.